Review Summary: This is the wise old guitarist´s manifesto
I had the pleasure to work with a first class Photography Director. He was british, old and kind of tired. But when he was building the photography for a shot, man i wish you all to see him working. He looked for every single detail, getting the best of the landscape, light (natural and artificial), art and the people on take. Also, he was a master behind de 4K cine camera. I was thinking: "this guy is old, he did some amazing work everyone would beg to have in his book, he doesn´t need to prove himself or anyone else for that matter, he doesn´t need the money, though it was sweet money... i guess he does it just because the pleasure of getting it right".
In a much larger scale, David Gilmour is that kind of guy. He is almost seventy years old. He was a key part of one of the ultimate rock numbers of all. And the guy has some money in his account. Then, why another record? Because he loves what he does, and more important, he is good at it. More than good. On An Island had that vibe already, and now Rattle That Lock follows with surprises and layers beneath the surface. When i hear the old Gilmour, i always remember the countless interviews i saw. In every single one, he is holding one of his precious guitars, and he just keeps playing it, gently, softly.
This is how Rattle That Lock feels. This is the wise old guitarist´s manifesto. You can almost sense his fingers across the strings in the opener. This is how he sounds. No need for deep production. That taste, that harmony comes from him alone. After that familiar and sweet sound the title song hits you. Upbeat, easy to digest, groovy, catchy. But then everything is a new ground. If you are familiar with his latest solo work (On an Island) you would expect a relaxing dreamy disc. You get that in some numbers, but let the old guy surprise you, and more important, move you. Glimour explores several genres, from jazz to funk, and everything was made with amazing craft, pendant of every single detail. It is like a photo album indeed, where everything was put there for a reason, the tone, the lights, the volume, the tiny little things that transports you to a lonely bay dropping a tear remembering Rick, to a New Orleans small saloon, to The Astoria where you can have a great and long conversation with mister Dave, to the train station, to a dark place inside your head and memory, and finally home, where you hear those fingers again on And Then...
Musically, this is some journey. Though this is a Dave´s effort, you can notice his former companions as influences. Wright is all over the place in his mind, with brushes of landscapes and notes. In fact, is Gilmour himself who plays most of the keyboard and piano stuff. He still holds his late dear friend´s memory close to his chest. Mason is also there. I like to think that Gilmour always thinks about Nick´s drumming when he is writing the drum parts, and i just imagine him saying to his session drummers: "a little bit gentlier. Leave some space, softly... that´s it". Oh he won´t ever say "gimme some Mason". Just listen to In Any Tongue if you don´t believe me. Classic Nick´s 4/4. Then, though Gilmour plays some of the bass tracks, there is some space to Guy Pratt to leave his mark. Anyway, is Dave responsible for the killer guitar/bass riff on Beauty. And did i mentioned there is some jazz tunes? Is a real pleasure to listen him jazzing a bit. Also, you get surprised again with Today. It´s hard to explain what is Today, but to acknowledge this is an almost 70 old guy who wrote that, well... amazing. But enough with the details. You just have to listen to it in order to find out what was in a wonderful musician´s mind for a while.
So sit and enjoy. Prepare for a sweet variety of musical textures and images.
